If 2050 seems like it’s a long way off to you, remember this: we’re closer right now to 2050 than we are to 1990. That’s probably a sobering thought if you’re a 90s baby, but it’s true, so it’s time to start thinking about what life is going to look like in just 29 years. 2050 feels like an impossibly sci-fi date to those of us born before the year 2000, but the fact is that it’s approaching with more and more speed every day (or that’s how it feels, at least).
The food industry is one of the most rapidly-changing industries in the world in many ways. In just a few short decades, we’ve gone from widespread meat and dairy consumption to a move towards more plant-based and sustainable solutions. We thought it would be fun to take a look at what the food we consume in 2050 is going to look like, and how it’s going to be produced. We’ll be using this Betway casino research as the basis for our examination, so without further ado, let’s proceed!
Animal agriculture is on a timer
According to the Betway research we linked above, experts have called animal agriculture “appallingly inefficient”, not to mention the ethical issues that arise from eating animals and animal products. By the year 2050, these experts reckon that most of our protein will come from plant-based sources. This makes sense; after all, protein comes from plants, and the animals who consume those plants get their protein from that source.
Microorganism cultivation will rule the roost
Microorganisms are just what they sound like; tiny organisms that can only be seen under a microscope. Microorganisms can be great sources of nutrients like protein, but they don’t need to contain the fat that makes meat and meat by-products so unhealthy to consume. With that in mind, scientists think that by 2050, microorganisms will be one of the main ways we get our protein, with consumption of meat and animal products way down as a result.
Nutrition will get personal
Wearable fitness tech is already terrifyingly capable of assessing your health to a very specific degree. Did you know, for example, that your Fitbit can analyse the quality of your sleep and potentially even assist with diagnosing sleep apnea? It’s true, but the tech doesn’t have to stop there. In the future, wearables could tell us exactly what we need to consume in order to balance our diet, and potentially even warn us of oncoming health issues before they affect us.
Dairy and eggs are gone
Right now, there’s a miniature revolution happening in the world of milk. Many people have switched from cow’s milk to plant-based alternatives like oat milk, soy milk, and hemp milk. This doesn’t necessarily spell doom for the dairy industry, but it’s hard to imagine that by 2050, plant-based milks won’t take their place right alongside cow’s milk as the premier topping for cereal and accompaniment for coffee. You can even get flavoured soy milk (and trust us, it’s delicious).
3D printing will make food too good to be true
Scientists think that by 2050, the 3D printing industry will be so advanced that we’ll be able to create food that tastes and feels just like the food we’re accustomed to, but without the ethical and environmental issues associated with that food. This means you could get your juicy steak or hamburger, not have to rely on plant-based alternatives, and still get the authentic meat experience, all without harming a single living thing. Not bad, eh?
Lab-grown food will help us supplant meat
The next major revolution in the food world is lab-grown meat and dairy. Right now, we’re incredibly close to achieving lab-grown food that tastes and feels just like the real thing; indeed, lab-grown food has already been approved for sale in Singapore. If this trend continues – and we believe it will – then by 2050, a huge amount of the meat sector could be lab-grown, meaning we wouldn’t have to keep killing animals in order to obtain our meat products.
Insect consumption could be a big deal
What do you think about eating crickets or ants? The idea might not seem too appetising right now, but it could be the cornerstone of a new sustainable eating revolution. Insects are a great source of protein and other nutrients; indeed, many cultures already serve them up as part of their cuisine. There may be a natural revulsion reflex for any culture that doesn’t regularly consume insects, but once we’re over that, we could find an incredible new food source to sustain us and help save the planet.
Junk food will be phased out
The UK is leading an initiative right now to phase out junk food advertising before the 9pm watershed (the point beyond which “adult” content is usually shown). This shows a growing distaste for the manipulative ways in which junk food companies sell their wares to consumers. We won’t be eating anywhere near as much junk food in 2050; with plant-based alternatives to meat readily available and just as delicious as their counterparts, junk food will simply cease to be as appetising.
We hope this illuminating look at what the food industry will be like in 2050 has been enlightening for you. Of course, these are all just predictions; there’s every chance some of these may not come true, or even that they may come true before 2050! Either way, we think the food industry is on a trajectory it can’t reverse, and we’re hoping that trajectory is one that leads to a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle for everyone on the planet.